Why Jarrett Bay

We feel so strongly about our boats, we’ve identified 11 in-depth reasons to build a Jarrett Bay. If you are seriously considering a custom build, please take the time to fully tour our Why Jarrett Bay section:

NILE MITCHELL

PROJECT MANAGER

Nile Mitchell is a North Carolina native with an impressive background in the marine industry. Professionally trained as a cabinet maker after graduating high school, Nile quickly put his skills to work at Helms Construction before landing a career with Hatteras Yachts in New Bern.

Within his first five years at Hatteras as a cabinet maker and installer, Nile was promoted to Production Supervisor and maintained that position for over a decade. Successfully overseeing the numerous facets of construction to include mechanical / electrical and cabinetry installations for Hatteras made Nile an ideal candidate for a promotion to Construction Manager in August of 2001.

With 15 years of management experience and nearly 35 years overall with Hatteras Yachts, Nile brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to the Jarrett Bay family. As Project Manager, Nile will be working side by side with the seasoned management, design and construction teams at Jarrett Bay to ensure our new construction customers’ dreams are realized in the most efficient and exceptionally executed manner. In his spare time, Nile enjoys restoring old antiques and spending time with family on the water.

DONNIE LEE

SERVICE LIAISON

Donnie strives for excellence in all he does, making him a natural fit for his work at Jarrett Bay. His focus is customer service support for our sister company Bluewater Yacht Sales. He ensures all of their Beaufort and Wrightsville Beach stock boats are kept to the highest standards, while also providing an exceptional customer experience for Bluewater’s new boat purchase orientations.

Donnie is a highly respected and experienced captain, most recently running the “Diamond Girl” for the last 10 years for Bailey’s Jewelry. Adding to his extensive hands-on knowledge base, are four years spent honing his engine service skills with Performance Diesel, as well as serving in the United States Coast Guard out of Southport and Long Beach, North Carolina.

When not supporting Bluewater’s service needs, you can usually find Donnie enjoying his favorite pastime of traveling with his daughter and son and watching their high school soccer games. Originally haling out of Charlotte, North Carolina, he now calls Morehead City and Beaufort home where his passion for all things salt air holds him steady.

Haley Bacon

Raleigh Store Manager

Haley joined the Jarrett Bay team in October 2015 as a part time employee at Jarrett Bay Offshore store when it opened in Raleigh. She continued her part time work while completing her senior year at NC State University. After graduating in May 2016 with a degree from the College of Textiles in Fashion and Textile Management she joined the team as the Manager of the Raleigh store. Haley is a native of Cary, but with great grandparents, grandparents and mother from Carteret County, Haley’s roots have produced a love for the area, the people and the Jarrett Bay brand. She is proud to bring the Jarrett Bay brand inland for all to enjoy.

When she is not working, you can find her in Carteret County on a boat, island or sandbar, fishing or relaxing, but always sporting the Jarrett Bay brand!

Taylor Downs

Retail Sales Manager

Taylor joined the Jarrett Bay team in October 2014 after graduating from NC State University. When Jarrett Bay expanded their retail sales into the Raleigh area, Taylor was instrumental in opening and managing Jarrett Bay Offshore, the first offshore retail endeavor. As of January 2016, Taylor became the Retail Sales Manager for Jarrett Bay and oversees all retail operations in both Beaufort and Raleigh.

Taylor is a native of Salisbury, NC and now resides in Morehead City, NC. She enjoys spending her free time on the beach and cheering on the Wolfpack.

Katlyn Gillikin

Project Manager Jarrett Bay Clothing Co.

Katlyn re-joined the Jarrett Bay team in August of 2014 as Retail Sales Manager. She worked at the Jarrett Bay Boathouse from 2007 and throughout her school years. Now, as Project Manager for Jarrett Bay Clothing Co. she is responsible for project implementation, including process standardization and improvement. She is also responsible for the JBCC warehouse facility.

Katlyn was born and raised in the “Downeast” community of Carteret County. Throughout her childhood, she watched her grandfather and uncle build boats and tend to fishing nets. At that young age, her love for Custom Carolina boat building was born. This admiration lead her to Jarrett Bay.

Katlyn attended East Carolina University and majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Katlyn resides in Beaufort with her dog Tanner, and spends free time with her family taking trips to the Cape, and cheering on her alma mater, the ECU Pirates.

Brandy Doughman

Accounting CoordinatorJarrett Bay Clothing Co.

Brandy joined the Jarrett Bay Team in December of 2015, as Accounting Coordinator for Jarrett Bay Clothing Co. Brandy is responsible for accounts payables and receivables, invoicing, and inventory for Jarrett Bay Clothing Company. She joins our family with over 12 years of retail and finance experience.

As a Cincinnati native, growing up, Brandy spent her summers with family in Marshallberg. She answered the calls of the salty shore, in 2007, relocating “Down East”. Brandy and her husband, Patrick, reside in Beaufort with their three children (Austin, Kayla, and Beckett), two dogs (Charlee and Chloe), and cat (Weezer). In their free time, they enjoy taking advantage of outdoor activities along the beautiful coast we call home.

David Long

Sales DirectorJarrett Bay Clothing Co.

David joined the Jarrett Bay team in the spring of 2015. The North Carolina native and NC State University graduate has extensive experience in retail, manufacturing, production, public relations, design, sales, marketing, and management.

The founder of Jean Paul Da’mage Jeans, Loveland Brands, and Dirtee Hollywood, David has spent the past two decades in Manhattan and Los Angeles. He has worked with accounts such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Fred Segal, Forever 21, Neiman Marcus, and many others. He has designed for the Rolling Stones, Disney, the City of Hollywood and many private label projects. His products have been featured in Details, Maxim, InStyle, People, WWD, Vogue, Nylon, Fader, along with several celebrity endorsements, as well. He has worked with distributors and accounts from over 30 countries around the world.

Julie Shea-Lawson

Design DirectorJarrett Bay Clothing Co.

Julie “Julz” Shea-Lawson joined the Jarrett Bay team in September of 2014 as the Director of Merchandise and Retail Development. Julz has an extensive background in the apparel and design industry, having worked on brand development and marketing for a wide range of clients including national retailers, as well as many brands in the fishing and marine industry.

A West Virginia native, Julz grew up making yearly trips to the OBX which led her to follow the calling of all things saltwater in her career and personal life. This same passion also sparked the beginning of her own resort apparel company many years ago. She is thrilled to now be a part of the heritage and family that makes up Jarrett Bay, and her role of developing new products and projects for the world-class brand.

After relocating from Pittsburgh, Julz and her family are now living and enjoying every moment possible on the shores of their coastal North Carolina home, while always staying on the look out for shells and fins.

Mike McKay

Marine Surplus & Salvage Manager

Mike McKay has enjoyed calling Carteret County his home for most of his life. After graduating from West Carteret High School, he attended Apprentice School at Cherry Point for an aircraft electrical post at Jacksonville’s Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF). With a love of all things mechanical, Mike spent his post military career working in auto parts stores, salvage yards and dealership parts departments. And to keep close to his ties to the water, he also founded and managed a dive charter business for 12 years. A licensed Captain and Master Diver, Mike ran crew boats for AMSEA rapid deployment, and most recently worked 24 years as a sales rep for Paxton Marine Distributors. Now, when Mike is not helping Jarrett Bay customers find a part for a vintage vessel or move overstock, he enjoys working on his classic Corvette and spending time with his wife of nearly fifty years, his son & his grandchildren.

Rich Melke

East’ard Marine Supply Store Manager

As Jarrett Bay’s Purchasing, Shipping & Receiving Manager, Rich is responsible for all orders made within the company for new construction builds, boatyard repairs and facility maintenance, and oversees all incoming and outgoing Jarrett Bay freight.

In addition, Rich also manages one of Eastern North Carolina’s newest and largest retail marine supply stores located within the Jarrett Bay Marine Industrial Park – East’ard Marine Supply.

Rich joined Jarrett Bay after serving our country in the United States Coast Guard for 23 years. A well decorated Coast Guardsman, he achieved the rank of Senior Chief Machinery Technician (E-8) where he served as Chief Engineer / Engineer in Charge aboard numerous Coast Guard Cutters and Shore Units.

After retiring from the Coast Guard, Rich and his wife Sherilene returned to their home town of Beaufort, where they have two sons, Joshua and Matthew, and a Granddaughter Lily.

Kendra Lawrence

Yard Service Office Administrator

Kendra’s primary responsibility is generating service work orders & billing for all boats we welcome here at Jarrett Bay. Kendra also assists all three service managers, as well as handling customer service. She is the friendly voice on the phone when you call to schedule the haul and launch of your boat or have a question on your statement.

Growing up on the Crystal Coast, Kendra is right at home in this industry. She enjoys boating and fishing on the weekends with her family.

She now resides in Beaufort, NC with her husband Tate, our Vice President here at Jarrett Bay. Together they have three children, Brooke, Ashton and Chandler.

Steven Blackwell

Project Manager

Steven grew up in the foothills of the NC Mountains, where he graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Technology. He was always drawn to the coast and in 2005, he realized his dream of coastal living and relocated to Beaufort where he joined the Jarrett Bay team as a finish carpenter. He quickly gained a great deal of respect from his peers and customers alike for the amount of work and the quality of craftsmanship that is the standard at Jarrett Bay. In 2007, Steven’s attention to detail and hands on prowess was recognized with a promotion to General Yard Foreman, where he managed our restoration and repair work for four years. In the summer of 2011 Steven was promoted to Project Manager where he is responsible for managing projects that range from routine maintenance to large scale repowers.

Steven lives in Beaufort, NC with his wife Amber where they love spending time in, on and around the water.

Keith Tosto

Project Manager

Keith is a certified representative for all Grand Banks warranty service work. Born and raised in a small fishing village, Keith watched and took note as his relatives built boats. At the age of 12, Keith began working on a local commercial fishing boat as a part time job. After graduating from high school, he attended Chapman’s School of Seamanship and Maritime Training, located in Florida, then worked in the Gulf of Mexico on Oil Supply Boats servicing the offshore rigs. He has owned several boats through the years, and operated a 40’ trawler from 1982 until 2004.

Keith started at Jarrett Bay in 2003, and in 2007 was promoted to Service Manager after working as a technician & department foreman.

Keith resides in Beaufort with his wife, Michelle. Their daughter, Brittany and her husband, Jimmy, recently welcomed the newest edition to their family, Jacey.

Brandon Davis

Marine Systems Engineer

Brandon signed on with the Jarrett Bay team in 2015 as a marine systems engineer. He is responsible for assisting the design team in the development of marine systems including propulsion, power generation and distribution, control systems, HVAC and other related functions.

As a Raleigh native, Brandon grew up vacationing on the Crystal Coast where he developed a passion and respect for the water. This led him to join the U.S. Navy after graduating high school, where he served 5 honorable years as an avionic technician working on H-60 helicopters. Upon separation from the navy, he set out to obtain a B.S. degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of New Orleans. Following graduation, he worked for a marine design firm in support of the oil and gas industry along the Gulf Coast. After three years, Brandon decided to return to his roots, move back to North Carolina, and pursue a career in sportfishing yacht design.

Brandon enjoys rooting for his hometown team, the NC State Wolfpack, as well as attending collegiate and professional sporting events. He lives in Marshallberg, NC, and spends as much time as possible on the water- fishing, duck hunting, wake boarding or just enjoying a nice skiff cruise.

Chad Voorhees

Product Design Engineer

Chad joined Jarrett Bay Boatworks as a Product Design Engineer in 2014. Working directly with Gary Davis, Chad helps design & document all aspects of the custom build process. Prior to joining our family, Chad spent over 20 years at Hatteras Yachts in product development, designing new boats and working with customers on their custom design dreams. He brings 18 years of CAD experience and expert hands-on knowledge of the boat building process. In addition to his boat building experiences, he earned a degree in Furniture Design from Virginia Commonwealth University, and ran his own furniture design business for over a dozen years.

Chad lives in Morehead City with his wife Amy. He has three grown children and a growing family. He enjoys being on and near the water whether he is fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, or out on his boat.

Gary Davis

New Construction Superintendent

Gary has been with us since 1998, when he merged his custom boat company with Jarrett Bay Boatworks. Gary oversees all day to day operations in the New Construction department and creates the designs for new builds.

Gary grew up around a boatshed apprenticing under his grandfather, Ray Davis. After he had honed his skills, Gary started his own business and has proudly crafted over 100 unique custom boats over his career.

Gary lives “Down East” and enjoys fishing on his skiff and any other outdoor activities. He stays fit & healthy by running in numerous marathons and triathlons during the year.

Dylan Cox

Health, Safety, Environmental Director

Dylan was born and raised in Carteret County, NC. In 2015, he graduated from Methodist University with a degree in Environmental and Occupation Management with a Concentration in Regulatory Compliance. He joined the Jarett Bay Boatworks team as the Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Director in August of 2015. Here at Jarrett Bay, Dylan is responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for our employees, as well as preserving our surrounding environment. During his free time, Dylan enjoys numerous outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and surfing.

Dan Carraway

Human Resources & Safety Manager

Dan was born and raised in Carteret County, NC. He joined the US Coast Guard to learn a trade and spent 11 years maintaining machinery, and 12 years surveying commercial vessels for structural conditions & safety. Two years were then invested with Atlantic Dry Dock in Jacksonville, Florida as a safety coordinator, leading to a similar opportunity with Jarrett Bay Boatworks in November 1999. His initial duties included yard repair assistant manager, but soon after he was promoted to Human Resources & Safety Manager in 2001. Dan resides in Newport, NC with his wife, Evelyn. They have three children, Nick, who works for Jarrett Bay in the shipping and receiving department, Chris and Sabrina.

Renee Lawrence

Accounting Manager

Renee is the Accounting Manager at Jarrett Bay Boatworks. She handles all accounts payables and receivables for Jarrett Bay Boatworks, The Jarrett Bay Group as well as the Marine Industrial Park. Renee has been with the Jarrett Bay family since 1997 while they were still located in Marshallberg. Renee grew up on Harkers Island, where she observed her grandfather as he built wooden boats. She still enjoys fishing and boating for pleasure and loves cooking for her family. Renee and her husband, Mckinley reside on Harkers Island. Mckinley is in charge of security for the Jarrett Bay Marine Industrial Park. Renee takes great pride in her son, Josh, who is an UNC graduate and is quickly becoming a very accomplished young man.

Dew Forbes

Vice President of Special Projects

Dew is primarily responsible for overseeing the company’s strategic planning. In 1998, Dew and Randy Ramsey relocated Jarrett Bay operations from Marshallberg, NC to our current Beaufort ICW 175-acre parcel that is now home to numerous boating related businesses.

Prior to joining the Jarrett Bay team, Dew graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and soon after began charter fishing up & down the east coast and in the Bahamas. In the 1990’s, Dew owned a charter fishing operation, as well as built three custom Jarrett Bays. Dew has built two Jarrett Bays’ and owned a thrid one. He has fished in numerous tournaments and won the Hatteras Marlin Club Tournament with JB Hull # 18 in 1998. Dew is also on the Board of Directors of Big Rock and was president of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament from 1993-1995.

Dew resides in Beaufort, NC with his wife, Valorie.

Randy Ramsey

President

Randy Ramsey is the founder and president of Jarrett Bay Boatworks, and principle at Bluewater Yacht Sales. He has been involved in almost every aspect of the boating and fishing industries from running a successful charter fishing operation to co-founding the Harker’s Island Sportfishing School, and serving as a marine surveyor and consultant. Randy earned his USCG captain’s license at 18, and today is proud to be at the helm of the world’s leading custom boat construction and service facility.

Randy lives in Carteret County, North Carolina, and is a very active member of numerous local and regional boards. Most notably, Randy has served on the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament’s Board since 1983, serving as president for two terms. He also serves on the boards of the North Carolina Manufacturer’s Association and the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association, is President of The North Carolina State University Student Aid Association, and is a member of the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees, among numerous others. Randy and his wife Tiffany are avid boaters and enjoy participating in billfish tournaments together. Randy has one son Alan and a granddaughter Autumn.

Ed Stack

Vice President of Administration and Development

Ed joined the Jarrett Bay team in June of 2014. He came to Jarrett Bay from the NC State Wolfpack Club, where he was Associate Executive Director and was responsible for the day to day operations of the athletic fundraising organization. During his 16 years at the Wolfpack Club, he was responsible for various facets of generating private financial support for NC State University athletic scholarships and sports facilities. At Jarrett Bay, Ed applies the business fundamentals garnered from managing one of the largest philanthropic programs in the U.S. to bringing the highest level of product integrity and customer service excellence to the many operations here.

Ed is a 1992 graduate of the College of Textiles at NC State University. Following graduation, he spent 6 years in textiles manufacturing with Sara Lee (Hanes) in Galax, VA and Greenwood, SC. Originally from Enochville, NC (Rowan County), Ed is married to Elizabeth and along with their children, Worth and Hubbard, they reside in Morehead City, NC where he enjoys outdoor activities with his family and attending college football games.

Tate Lawerence

Vice President of Operations

As VP of Operations, Tate oversees all personnel and daily business at Jarrett Bay Boatworks. He joined the Jarrett Bay family in 1999 while the company was in the process of building Hull 30. Today, with more than 80 custom & semi-production hulls on the water, and an internationally recognized, full-service boatyard keeping the marine industry buzzing, Tate has proven to be an effective hands-on manager, ensuring success in all facets of business at the 175-acre Jarrett Bay Marine Park. Growing up on Harkers Island, North Carolina, Tate spent his youth working around- and on boats with Gary Davis, Jarrett Bay’s New Construction Superintendent. Later the duo joined forces at Jarrett Bay to build a superior custom product that can be found plying the mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast waters, and as far as Japan’s deep Pacific drops. Tate is an avid boater, fisherman and also enjoys hunting. He continues to live “Down East,” close to where he spent his formative boating days, with his wife Kendra – Jarrett Bay’s Yard Service Office Administrator. And they are the proud parents of three wonderful children.